Reel construction

ABSTRACT

A collapsible reel assembly is provided on which a length of wire, flexible tubing or the like may be wound. The assembly is formed of a pair of blanks made of corrugated fibreboard and each blank includes a hub portion, a rim portion spaced from and encompassing said hub portion, a plurality of annularly spaced first struts interconnecting the hub and rim portions, and a plurality of annularly spaced second struts, each of which has an outer end foldably connected to the rim portion. The first struts, and the rim and hub portions of a blank cooperate with one another so as to form an end wall for the reel assembly. The second struts of the blanks are transversely disposed relative to the end walls and cooperate with one another to form a core on which the length of wire, flexible tubing or the like is wound.

United States Patent [191 Beder et al.

[ Dec. 10, 1974 1 1 REEL CONSTRUCTION [75] Inventors: Samuel LewisBeder, Bronx, N.Y.;

Alexander Toth, Clifton; Warren Richard Persak, Fair Lawn, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America,

Evanston, Ill.

22 Filed: Nov. 6, 1972 211 App]. No.: 304,131

[52] U.S. Cl. 242/115, 242/118.8 [51] Int. Cl B6511 75/22, B6511 75/14[58] Field Of Search"... 242/1 18.8, 118.7, 118.6, 242/1184, 118.61,71.8, 77, 77.3

[56] i 1 I References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,282,119 5/1942Darling 242/71.8 2,545,004 3/1951 Ortenblad 6K 31. 242/71.8 3,329,2597/1967 Mayer 242/118.8

, FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 706,260 3/1965 Canada'.....' 242/118.8

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz [57] ABSTRACT A collapsible reelassembly is provided on which a length of wire, flexible tubing or thelike may be wound. Theassembly is formed of a pair of blanks made ofcorrugated fibreboard and each blank includes a hub portion, a rimportion spaced from and encompassing said hub portion, a plurality ofannularly spaced first struts interconnecting the hub and rim portions,and a plurality of annularly spaced second struts, each of which has anouter end foldably connected to the rim portion. The first struts, andthe rim and hub portions of a blank cooperate with one another so as toform an end wall for the reel assembly. The second struts of the blanksare transversely disposed relative to the end walls and cooperate withone another to form a core on which the length of wire, flexible tubingor the like is wound.

3 Claims, 10 DrawingFigures PATENIEL m1 man I saw 1 or 2 FIG.3

FIG.I

1 REEL CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the assembly, whencollapsed, did not assume a 'com-.

pact, flat condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the invention toprovide a reel assembly which is not beset with the aforenotedshortcomings.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a reel assembly whichassumes a flat, compact condition when in a collapsed state, and thus,may be readily stored when not in use.

It is afurther object of the invention to provide a reel assembly thecomponents of which may be readily formed on conventional slotting,slitting and scoring equipment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide one form of animproved reel assembly which may be readily converted into a shippingcontainer when desired.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, 7accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In accordance'with one embodiment of the invention, a collapsible reelassembly is provided which is formed of a pair of interconnected blanksarranged in substantially superposed relation. Each blank includes a hubportion, a rim portion spaced therefrom and encompassing said hubportion, a plurality of annularly spaced first struts interconnectingthe hub and rim portions, and a plurality of annularly spaced secondstruts interposed and separated from the first struts. vThe first strutsand the hub and rim portions of each blank are adapted to form an endwall of the assembly. Each second strut of a blank has an outer endwhich is foldably connected to the rim portion. An intermediate memberis also provided which is disposed between the blanks and has portionsthereof positioned between the interconnected second struts.Encompassing the exterior of the second struts and the intermediatemember is a web which retains the end walls in-sp aced. substantiallyparallel relation.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention,reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the improved reel assemblyshown in set up condition.

FIG. 2 is a side 'elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1, butshowing the web partiallyremoved so as to expose the folded secondstruts and the intermediate member. 7

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a blank forming one component of the reelassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4-is a top plan view of the intermediate member forming anothercomponent of the reel assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 2, but showing the assembly in a collapsedstate.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembly, but showing the componentsthereof in exploded relation.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a modified blank forming a component of asecond embodiment of the reel assembly.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the reelassembly shown in one state of setup.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the reel assembly of FIG. 8 being set upto form a shipping container.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pair of correspondingsecond struts of the assembly of FIG.' 8 showing the manner in which theinner ends of said struts are interconnected.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, one formof the improved reel assembly 20 is shown on which a length of wire,flexible tubing, etc., may be wound. The assembly 20, when not in use,may assume a collapsed compact condition, as seen in FIG. 5, and in suchcondition may be readily stored. Assembly 20, as seen in FIG. 6,comprises a number of components, all of which may be formed fromfibre-board material, such as corrugated board. Two of the components21a and 21b are blanks of like configuration, and each includes a hubportion 22a or 22b provided with a central bearing opening 23a or 23b,and a rim portion 24a or 24b which is spaced from and encircles the hubportion. The hub and rim portions are interconnected by a plurality ofelongated, annularly spaced first struts 2511 or 25b. The hub and rimportions and the first struts of each blank are disposed in coplanarrelation and cooperate with one another to form an end wall W for thereel assembly.

In addition to the first struts 25a or 25b, each blank is provided. witha plurality of elongated, annularly spaced second struts 260 or 26b. Thefirst and second struts of each blank are separated from one another byslits. The outer end of each second strut is connected by a foldline 270or 27b to the rim portion 24a or 24b. The inner end of each second strutis provided with a foldable tab 28a or 28b. The tabs of thecorresponding second struts of the blanks are secured to one another byadhesive, staples or the like, see FIG. 2.

Besides the two blanks 21a and 21b, the reel assembly 20 includes as acomponent thereof an intermediate member 30, see FIGS. 4 and 6, whichserves to reinforce the assembly when itis set up as shown in FIG. 1 toreceive the wound wire, tubing or the like. Mem ber 30 is preferablyformed from the same material as blanks 21a and 21b, and includes a hubportion 31 provided with a central bearing opening 32, the latter beingaxially aligned with openings 23a and 23b when the assembly is set up.Extending radially outwardly from the hub portion 31 of member 30 are aplurality of annularly spaced slots 33. The location and number of slotswill correspond with the location and number of second struts 26a and26b formed in the blanks 21a and 21b. The intermediate member 30 isprovided with fingerlike portions 34 which radiate from hub portion 31and extend between the interconnected second struts which are secured toone another.

Besides the blanks 21a and 21b, and the intermediate member 30, the reelassembly includes a web 35 of fibreboard or the like which is adapted toencompass the interconnected second struts and the intermediate memberto form a core C. The interior surface of web engage the outer endlimits of the fingerlike portions 34 of member 30 and is reenforcedthereby. The opposite ends of the core C are enclosed by the end wallsW. The opposite ends 35a and 35b of theweb may overlap one another andbe secured together by tape or the like. The width of the web 35 is suchthat it will fit between the end walls W and retain same in properspaced relation. The radially extending portions 34 of member 30 contactthe interior surface of web 35 and provide reinforcement of the web atapproximately its mid-width. The utilization of the member 30 is op- 156of the other blank, as shown more clearly in FIG. 9.

Each of the modified blanks 121a and 121b are of like configuration andinclude a hub portion 122a and 122b provided with a .central opening123a (only one being shown), a rim portion 124a or 124b having a squareperipheral configuration, a plurality of annularly spaced first struts125a and 125b interconnecting said hub and rim portions, and a pluralityof annularly tional and will depend upon the size of the reel assemblyand stiffness of the web.

When the reel assembly is to be collapsed, as shown in FIG. 5, the web35 is removed from between the end walls W, whereupon thelatter can bepushed together causing the intermediate member 30 to be sandwichedtherebetween. I

To reenforce the bearing openings 23a, 23b and 32, metal grommets G maybe utilized. The openings are sized to receive an axle or rod, notshown, which is used to support the assembly during winding thereon orunwinding therefrom of the wire, tubing or the like.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a second embodiment of the improved reel assembly120 which besides utilizing end walls and a core in a manner similar tothat incorpothereof.

As in the case of assembly 20, assembly 120 includes substantially thesame components shown in FIG. 6; however, the rim portion 124a or 124bof the blanks 121a or l2lb have a substantially square peripheralconfiguration. Foldably connected to the sides of rim portion 1240 or12412 are closure flaps 150a, 151a and 153a, or 15012, 151b, 152!) and15312. As seen in FIG. 7, flaps 150a and 152a are opposite one anotherand are of like configuration and each includes a first pair of spacedparallel slots 154, which are disposed trans versely of the foldline 155connecting the flap to the rim portion 124a, and a second pair of slots156, which are aligned with and interrupt foldline 155. Flaps 151a and1530 are of like constructionand are connected by foldlines 157 to theremaining peripheral sides of the rim portion 124a. Each flap 151a and153a has a pair of foldable tabs 158 formed on the outer edge thereof.The relative positions of the tabs 158 and the slots 154 formed on flaps150a and 1520 are such that the tabs 158 are adapted to extend throughthe corresponding slots 154 when the flaps are folded outwardly inoverlapping relation', as seen in FIG. 8. The closure flaps may befolded outwardly in overlapping relation while the product is beingwound on or removed from the reel assembly 120.

It should be noted inFlG. 8 that the arrangement of the slotted andtabbed closure flaps in blank 1211) is disposed 90 relative to thearrangement in blank 121a. The reason for this relation is that when theclosure flaps are folded so as to'enclose the wound product, the tabs158 of one blank will lockingly fit within the slots spaced secondstruts 126a and 126b. As in the case of assembly 20, the outer end ofeach second strut 1260 is foldably connected to rim portion 124a. Theremainder of each second strut is delimited by a cut, thereby makingeach second strut separate fromv the adjacent first strut. The inner endof each second strut is provided with a foldable tab 128a. As seen inFIG. 10, the tabs 128a of corresponding second struts 126a and 126b aresecured to one another by staples 160 or the like. Disposed between therim portions 124a and 124b and encompassing the interconnected secondstruts 126a and 126b is a web 135. It will be noted that the number andshape of the second struts in the modified assembly are different fromthose of the assembly 20. In either case, the number and shape of thestruts, as well as other components of the assembly may vary from thatillustrated and will depend upon the type of product being accommodatedby the assembly. Furthermore, if desired, an intermediate member 30 maybe utilized as one of the components of the modified reel assembly 120in the same manner as described with respect to assembly 20.

Thus, it will be seen that an improved collapsible reel assembly hasbeen provided which is of simple, inexpensive construction, does notrequire special tools or equipment to set up or collapse, is capable ofhandling a variety of products, and may be readily reuseable.

We claim:

1. A collapsible reel assembly comprising a pair of blanksinterconnected to one another and arranged-in substantially superposedrelation, an intermediate member interposed said blanks, and a web ofmaterial removably disposed between saidblanks and encompassing saidintermediate member when said assembly is in a non-collapsed state; eachblank including a hub portion, a rim portion spacedv from andencompassing said hubportion, a plurality of annularly spaced firststruts interconnecting said hub and rim portions, said first struts andsaid hub and rim portions of a blank defining an end wall of the reelassembly, and a plurality of annularly spaced second struts disposedintermediate said first struts and separated therefrom, each secondstrut being one end thereof foldably connected to a portion of the blankdefining the end wall, and a second end thereof foldably connected tothe second end of a corresponding second strut of the other blank of theassembly, corresponding second struts, when in a first position ofadjustment, being in substantial endwise relation and forming a coresection disposed intermediate said end walls and aligned with the hubportions thereof whereby said end walls are in substantially spaced,parallel relation and said assembly is in a noncollapsed state, and whenin a, second position of adjustment and said web has been removed frombetween said blanks, said second struts being disposed in proximatesubstantially parallel relation whereby said end walls and saidintermediate member are in proximate substantially parallel relation andsaid reel assembly is in a collapsed state; and intermediate memberincluding a central portion aligned with the hub portions of bly is in anon-collapsed state.

2. The reel assembly of claim 1 wherein the one end of each second strutof each blank is foldably connected to the rim portion of saidblank.

3. The reel assembly of claim 1 wherein said blanks and saidintermediate member are provided with bearing openings disposed incoaxial alignment.

. UNITED. STATES PATENT OFI ICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. ,2Dated December 10, 1974 Inventor(s)Samu elT L. 'Beder, Alexander 7 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters vPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 52 "being" should be --.h avingolumn 5, line l "a 'nd."should be said I sighed and sealed this lith'dey of March 1975 I (SEAL)I Attest:

. s s v t c. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON j Commissioner of PatentsAttesting Officer, .-and Trademarks

1. A collapsible reel assembly comprising a pair of blanksinterconnected to one another and arranged in substantially superposedrelation, an intermediate member interposed said blanks, and a web ofmaterial removably disposed between said blanks and encompassing saidintermediate member when said assembly is in a non-collapsed state; eachblank including a hub portion, a rim portion spaced from andencompassing said hub portion, a plurality of annularly spaced firststruts interconnecting said hub and rim portions, said first struts andsaid hub and rim portions of a blank defining an end wall of the reelassembly, and a plurality of annularly spaced second struts disposedintermediate said first struts and separated therefrom, each secondstrut being one end thereof foldably connected to a portion of the blankdefining the end wall, and a second end thereof foldably connected tothe second end of a corresponding second strut of the other blank of theassembly, corresponding second struts, when in a first position ofadjustment, being in substantial endwise relation and forming a coresection disposed intermediate said end walls and aligned with the hubportions thereof whereby said end walls are in substantially spaced,parallel relation and said assembly is in a non-collapsed state, andwhen in a second position of adjustment and said web has been removedfrom between said blanks, said second struts being disposed in proximatesubstantially parallel relation whereby said end walls and saidintermediate member are in proximate substantially parallel relation andsaid reel assembly is in a collapsed state; and intermediate memberincluding a central portion aligned with the hub portions of saidblanks, and peripheral portions projecting from the central portion andextending between the adjacent second struts of said blanks, the outerperiphery of said intermediate member supportingly engaging theencompassing web of material when said second struts are in said firstposition of adjustment and said reel assembly is in a non-collapsedstate.
 2. The reel assembly of claim 1 wherein the one end of eachsecond strut of each blank is foldably connected to the rim portion ofsaid blank.
 3. The reel assembly of claim 1 wherein said blanks and saidintermediate member are provided with bearing openings disposed incoaxial alignment.